Kelly Charitable Trust
Kelly Charitable Trust is a private charitable trust based in Paola, Kansas that is administered by First Option Bank. The bank’s Trusteed Foundations page describes the Kelly Charitable Trust, its focus, gives application guidelines and a PDF application form, and lists a trustee contact for submissions.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize Kansas-based nonprofit, school district, or community organization with a concrete project or program budget and clear local impact.
Good Fit
- • Located in Kansas or serving a local Kansas community.
- • Project-level requests for equipment, program supplies, small capital or program fees in the $1K–$25K range.
- • Clear, specific budget items and community impact described in an application.
- • Willingness to follow an annual March 1 cycle and use the bank’s PDF application and mailing/email submission route.
Geography
Observed giving in both available years is entirely to organizations in Kansas, with all reported grant dollars and grant counts contained within the foundation's home state.
Recipient Variety
In the latest year the trust made seven grants to five distinct recipients across education, health, historical preservation and youth programs; there is some variety for a micro private foundation but the overall portfolio is modest in scale.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a public application form and guidelines on the bank website, a named trust officer and mailing address for submissions, and the fact that four of five 2023 recipients were new; with two years of data this suggests unfamiliar applicants can gain entry.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
